Handle clamp



Jan. 3, 1961 v. JJDESCHENE 2,967,071

HANDLE CLAMP Filed June 9, 1958 9 BY @f/INZIjJTOR.

ATTORNEY United States Patent HANDLE 'CLAlVIP Victor J. Deschene, SanDiego, Calif. (799 Vista Grande, .Los Altos, .Calif.)

Filed June 9, 19 58, Ser. No. 740,786 4 Claims. (Cl. 294-311) inventionrelates to handles and more particularly to handle clamps which may befitted over thermos bottles, cans, glass and metal containers and otherarticles of general cylindrical shape which have not heretofore beenprovided with a handle by which it may be moved or carried.

There are many articles which are bulky or clumsy to carry or use whichare not provided with a handle when purchased. The user of the articleoften finds it desirable to provide the article with a handle to therebyincrease its utility and to make its use more easy and convenient. Forexample, a can or bottle may be used and a thermos bottle may be moreeasily carried with a handle attached thereto.

Handles heretofore have been provided for attachment to such articles.However, these handles have consisted of several parts such as articleengaging bands and handles connected thereto by means of rivets, screws,bolts or other fastening means. These are unsightly and tend to breakapart or become separated in use. It is also well known that the greaterthe number of parts, the greater the cost of fabrication and assembly.

The handle clamp comprising the present invention consists of a unitarystrip of material which forms a band around the article and thencecontinues into a handle portion having twists and loops which providemaximum strength and rigidity. The handle clamp may be attached to thearticle without modification thereof or damage thereto and lockedsecurely in place in a simple manner without special instruments orequipment.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide for a novelhandle clamp for adaptation to cylindrical containers.

Another object is the provision of a handle clamp having a unitary stripof material forming a band and handle portion of loops and twists suchthat the ends thereof interlock to hold the handle clamp firmly inplace.

Another object is the provision of a handle clamp of simple sturdy andinexpensive constmction, which is easy to install, pleasing inappearance and reliable in use.

Other objects and features of the present invention will be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art from the following specificationand appended drawings wherein is illustrated a preferred form of theinvention, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the handle clamp in unlocked positionready for assembly, and

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the handle in locked position.

Referring now to Figure 1 the handle clamp is formed from a strip ofresilient spring-like material or a nonresilient material such asaluminum, for example. This clamp consists generally of a band portion11 and a handle portion 12. The band portion 11 lies in a horizontalplane with its outer end 13 bent outwardly at 14 and somewhat rearwardlyat tip 16 for a reason hereinafter to be made obvious. The band portion11 is generally circular in configuration and of the proper circumuntilthe loop extends downwardly at 24.

by 28 and thence upwardly at 29 "ice ference to be fitted in a securemanner around the article for which it is adapted. The inner surface 17has a gummed paper backing 18 adhered thereto which frictionally engagesthe article circumvented thereby. The inner end 19 of the band portion11 is bent outwardly at right angles to the normal of the band portioncurve so as to be parallel to and in abutting alignment with the outerend 13 when assembled.

From inner end 19 of band portion 11 the strip extends and is formedinto the handle portion 12. At a point spaced from the band portion inan amount equal to the band width the strip is given a half twist 21 sothat the width of the strip is perpendicular to the axis of the articleto be carried. After the half twist is completed outwardly at 22 fromthe horizontal portion 11. The handle portion then a continuous loop 23Another half twist 26 is applied just above the junction of inner bandend 19 and the handle portion 12. This provides a fiat surface 27 inparallel and abutting alignment with the inner and outer ends 19, 13 ofthe band portion 11 when assembled. At the lower edge of end 19 thestrip is then bent under the lower edges of 19 and 13 as shown along theouter surface portion 11 and tip 16 the strip continues plane of theband loops upwardly and inwardly in of end 13 and between the band ofthe outer end 13. The upwardly extending portion 29 is thus parallelwith surface 27 for snugly sandwiching the two ends of the band portionin between. The top 31 of portion 29 extends inwardly to preventvertical dislodgement of end 13.

Figure 2 shows the handle clamp in assembled and locked position. If thestrip is of springlike material the locking arrangement may be affectedby prying surfaces 27, 29 apart and snapping end 13 in place. If thestrip is of non-resilient material, crimping of the surfaces 27, 29together again would be desirable.

When the handle clamp is installed it possesses amazing strength anddurability which may be attributed, in part at least, to the twistingand bending arrangement which unites the band portion and handle portionand locks the ends together. In holding the article in upright positionthe vertical e'nd surfaces 13, 19 prevent upward movement of portion 24and the half twist portion 21 prevents downward movement or the inwardcollapse of portion 22 which is extending outwardly in the plane of theband portion 11. Tip 16 and half twist 21 prevent outward withdrawal ofsurfaces 27, 29 and tip 31 and half twist 26 prevent their downwardwithdrawal.

While certain preferred embodiments of the invention have beenspecifically disclosed, it is understood that the invention is notlimited thereto as many variations will be readily apparent to thoseskilled in the art and the invention is to be given its broadestpossible interpretation within the terms of the following claims:

What I claim is:

1. A handle clamp for attachment to an object comprising a unitarystriphaving a band portion of general configuration similar to the crosssectional periphery of said object and laying in a horizontal plane, aninner end of said band portion having an extension extending outouterend and thence upwardly to secure both said ends together.

2. A handle clamp for attachment to an object comprising a unitary striphaving a band portion of general configuration similar to the crosssectional periphery of said object and lying in a horizontal plane, saidportion having an outer end extending outwardly therefrom in an amountequal to the width of said strip, said band portion having an inner endbent outwardly and extending radially from the axis of said object andextending outwardly in an amount equal to the width of said strip and inparallel relationship with said outer end, said strip thereaftercontinuing with a half twist to position the surface of said stripforming said handle portion at right angles to the axis of said object,said handle portion including a loop with a second half twist to permitthe surface of the further extension of said strip to be in parallelrelationship with both said ends as said strip extends downwardlythereacross, said strip continuing downwardly below said plane and underboth said ends and thence upwardly, said strip terminating in a shortinward projection over the top surface of said outer end to therebysecure both said ends together.

3. A handle clamp for attachment to an upright object comprising aunitary strip having a band portion adapted to encircle said object tobe carried thereby and lie in a horizontal plane, said band portionhaving an outer end bent outwardly to extend away from said object in anamount equal to the width of said strip and thence rearwardly at itstip, said band portion having a gummed paper backing on its innersurface adapted to contact said object, said band portion having aninner end with an extension extending outwardly in abutting parallelrelation with said outer end in an amount equal to the width of saidstrip and thereafter having a half twist, a

handle portion extending from said half twist and forming a loopterminating in a second half twist and continuing downwardly in abuttingrelation with said outer end, said strip continuing below said plane andacross the bottom edges of both said ends, thence upwardly across theouter surface of said outer end and terminating in an inwardly extendingprojection, at the top edge of said outer end to thereby secure bothsaid ends together.

4. A handle clamp for attachment to an object to be carried therebycomprising a continuous strip around said object forming a band portionin a horizontal plane, said strip having a shorter outer end bentoutwardly with the outer tip thereof extending rearwardly, said striphaving an inner end bent outwardly, said inner end having an extensionforming a half twist, a loop and a second half twist to form the handleportion, said strip passing between the first half twist and said bandportion with said second half twist positioned above said outer end,said strip passing below said plane under both ends and up wardlyagainst the outer surface of said outer end, said strip terminating inan inward projection across the top edge of said outer end to therebysecure both said ends together.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,375,783 Moineaux Apr. 16, 1921 1,502,242 French July 22, 19241,550,618 Kemp Aug. 18, 1925 1,795,615 Parran Mar. 10, 1931 2,249,144Kleina July 15, 1941 2,314,252 Springborn Mar. 16, 1943 2,632,666Cunningham Mar. 24, 1953 2,690,657 Milewski Oct. 5, 1954 UNITED STATESPA CERTIFICATE OF CO ERECTION January 3 1961 Patent No,

Victor JovDeschene d that error appears in the above numbered patsPatent should read as hereby certifie d that the said Letter It is entrequiring correction an corrected below,

Column 1 lines 16 and 27 for "thermos" I each occurrences read as vacuumo ptemher 1961:.

Signed and sealed this 19th day of Se (SEAL) Attest: v

DAVID L. LADD Commissioner of Patents ERNEST W. SWIDER Attesting OfficerusooMM-Dc TENT OFFICE I

